Tropical Storm Imelda Intensifies, Poses Threats to Florida's East Coast and Beyond

Tropical Storm Imelda is intensifying as it moves northward, bringing wind advisories and rip current threats to much of Florida's East Coast.

 

As of 2 p.m. Monday, Imelda was located approximately 220 miles east-southeast of Cape Canaveral, moving north at 9 mph.

 

The storm is expected to turn sharply east-northeast on Tuesday, steering away from the southeastern U.S. but approaching Bermuda by midweek.

 

Maximum sustained winds have reached 60 mph, with a minimum central pressure of 988 mb.

 

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for parts of the northwestern Bahamas, including Eleuthera, the Abacos, Grand Bahama Island, and surrounding keys.

 

Wind Impacts: Tropical storm conditions are expected to persist in portions of the northwestern Bahamas through today.

 

Rainfall: Imelda is forecasted to produce an additional 2 to 4 inches of rain across eastern Cuba and 4 to 8 inches across the northwest Bahamas through Tuesday, potentially causing flash and urban flooding. Mudslides are also possible in areas of higher terrain in eastern Cuba. Storm total rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches, with local maxima of 4 inches, are expected through Tuesday across northeast Florida, coastal South Carolina, and coastal sections of southeast North Carolina, which could result in isolated flash and urban flooding. As Imelda passes near Bermuda, 2 to 4 inches of rainfall is expected from Wednesday into Thursday.

 

Storm Surge: A storm surge could raise water levels by 1 to 3 feet above ground level along the immediate coast in areas of onshore winds in the northwestern Bahamas, accompanied by large waves. Minor coastal flooding is possible in areas of onshore winds along the Southeastern U.S. coastline, with water levels potentially reaching 1 to 2 feet above ground from the Volusia/Brevard County Line in Florida to the South Santee River in South Carolina.

 

Surf: Swells generated by Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto are affecting the Bahamas and are expected to spread to much of the U.S. East Coast early this week, likely causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

 

Residents along the East Coast are advised to stay informed and exercise caution as conditions evolve.